Video: Woman steals reporter’s vehicle during story on property scam

A Sarasota, Fla. TV reporter found himself part of the story he was covering when a woman stole his car while on camera.

Florida News Reporter’s vehicle swiped on camera (Photo from WEAR-TV)

WWSB-TV reports one of their reporters, Josh Taylor, was investigating an alleged rental property scam. Apparently, a 91-year-old woman said she had rented out an 11-bedroom home for a family reunion, but it was discovered that the home only had five bedrooms because of code violations. The owner of the home, a local chiropractor, reportedly refused to give the woman her money back, even though the contract they signed guaranteed a refund.

Taylor went out to the home to report on the story, but things soon took a turn for the bizarre. As he and his photographer were setting up a shot outside the home, a woman, later identified as Jean Price, approached them, asking them to leave.

Price: Are you invited here by the owner?

Taylor: Ma’am, we’re doing a story on this property.

Price: Well, you’re not going to do a story on this property. You’re going to leave.

Taylor: Ma’am! Are you touching –

Price: YOU’RE GOING TO LEAVE!

She then grabbed the photographer’s tripod and stuffed it into the front seat of their news vehicle. She then climbed in and drove it a good distance away.

Local sheriff’s deputies told WWSB-TV Price is a friend of Dr. Craig Siegal, the owner of the home. He called the station to say Price was a former employee, now a friend and neighbor who was watching over the house.